Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 165
mals, they surprised several of the Bedouin tribes in their retreat ;
but not without incurring great risks in penetrating into the de-
serts, where they were repeatedly exposed to perish from thirst,
the fugitive Arabs leading them in a direction contrary to that of
the watering-places, with the position of which they alone were
acquainted.
The arms of the Bedouins consist of a musket, provided with a
match-lock, slung around the arm, a sabre, and a long spear,
which they carry in the hand. The latter of these weapons they
employ with great effect, when in pursuit of an enemy. Not-
withstanding they are themselves armed with muskets, they have
a great dread of fire-arms, and abandon the field to their adver-
sary, as soon as a few of their party
are brought down by the
balls. They cannot, therefore, be deemed formidable, when op-
and are onlv
posed to troops subjected to any degree of discipline ;
so when they encounter an unprepared enemy, or one greatly infe-
rior in force.
The Arabs in general, whether Bedouins or husbandmen, are
expert thieves, and are
distinguished also by their consummate hypocrisy
and treachery. Many of the Fellahs have been converted
to
Christianity,
and have engaged themselves as domestics, in
which capacity they require a very strict goverment to ensure any
thing like obedience. They are, however, excellent grooms, be-
stowing a particular
attention on the horses committed to their
charge. They allow them, in the course of the day, two feeds
only of barley and chopped straw; and in
supplying them with
these meals in the morning and
evening, give them a
very scanty
allowance of water. They have certainly good reasons in favour
of this sparing regimen, as is attested by the healthiness and good
condition of the Arab horses.
The villages
in Syria appear to be well peopled; but it is im-
possible to form any correct idea of the general population of the
country, in consequence of the migrations of its inhabitants from
place to place, and of the great proportion of them who reside
in tents.
Such of the Fellahs as have cultivated their lands with any suc-
cess, arc as careful to conceal their little store of riches, as they
were industrious in its acquisition. The plea of poverty to which
they resort, is not, however, in every case, equally sudces
The avaricious Pacha, either personally, or by the means of his
instruments, keeps a watchful eve oifeach of theCultivators, ami